LANSING — The Michigan Senate Judiciary Committee
recently heard testimony on Senate Bill 476, which would require the Department
of Corrections to competitively bid out services including food, transportation
and more.

Critics of the plan include the Michigan Corrections
Organization, the union that represents prison employees.

Bill supporters, however, argue that the state could
save $100 million by contracting, according to the Michigan Information
& Research Service. Sen. Wayne Kuipers, R-Holland, stated, "Until we figure
out why our costs are out of line with other states, we need to explore
everything," according to MIRS.